Melanie A. Nix – Triple negative breast cancer survivor. Resilience Coach, Reconstructionist™ and Health and Wellness Advocate who chronicles life after a breast cancer diagnosis. Living my manifesto, Soul of a Survivor, and always striving to color outside of the lines when defining my new normal.

Last night, I watched your Farewell Address. At times, I was so filled with emotion that tears streamed down my face, clouding my vision, but still allowing me to take in an earful and digest every word like a dehydrated person savoring each precious drop of water; quenching this thirst by continuing to provide hope that has propelled us for the last eight years. Hope and faith are inseparable cousins. You spoke about “…that faith that I placed all those years ago, not far from here, in the power of ordinary Americans to bring about change — that faith has been rewarded in ways I could not have possibly imagined. And I hope your faith has, too.” In the annals of the American presidency, let history reflect that my faith has been rewarded throughout your two terms. Thank you.

During the vociferous “four more years” chants, the crescendo invoked my lamentation when I pled for more time. I cried tears of joy on November 4, 2008, the night of your first election. Three weeks later, I was inconsolable as I cried tears of sadness and fear when I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at age 38. Breast cancer killed my 49-year-old mother after her initial diagnosis at age 36. I asked God to let me watch my one year old and four-year-old children grow up. You began your post-election transition to the highest office in our country. I was transitioning into the depths of my own hell. You promised change. I struggled with my faith.

On the stormy sea of change, I began my course with a bilateral mastectomy. A month later, on an unseasonably cold day, my husband and I braved the elements and traveled by car, subway and a several block walk (pre Fitbit, but I surely would have easily gotten 15,000+ steps that day as well as a serious badge) to get to the National Mall and watch your inauguration. My plan to start chemo on this Tuesday was delayed a week because my oncologist’s office in Washington, D. C. recognized the day as well as understood what a logistical nightmare it would be trying to get around. Like millions in the city who had come to witness you taking your oath of office, I was elated. But, my euphoria was eclipsed by my angst about the days ahead. You reiterated your vow to the American people – change.

(Me and my husband, Ray, at President Obama’s 2009 Inauguration)

You were busy leading the country and I was busy managing my chemo schedule. On disparate paths, we shared a common focus on health care. In a chemo induced nauseous, exhausted haze, I watched your 2009 State of the Union Address and was regenerated when you discussed health care reform and announced “… a new effort to conquer a disease that has touched the life of nearly every American by seeking a cure for cancer in our time.” Like you, I lost my mother to cancer. I also lost four cousins and my favorite aunt to cancer. As I awaited each brutal chemo treatment and detested getting my biweekly infusions, when fear and hopelessness were my constant companions, you provided an infusion of hope and quickened my faith.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Obama was building the framework for her Let’s Move! Initiative and planted the White House Kitchen Garden. Her efforts to combat childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyle choices can reduce morbidity and mortality. I vehemently hope that I don’t pass to my children my genetic mutation for cancer, but instead pass on to them a healthy lifestyle. It’s consequential for them to also have Mrs. Obama as a role model and champion. Learning more about Mrs. Obama’s health-centric initiatives continued to kindle my faith.

I adjusted to my new normal after surgeries and chemo, a cancer free life, and you continued reform as Health Advocate-in-Chief. You signed the Affordable Care Act into law on March 23, 2010. With this legislation, some cancer screening services are covered under insurance plans at no extra cost; it ended the lifetime dollar caps on coverage; and also prevented a ban on coverage for pre-existing conditions. It was a blessing for me given my family history of and battle with breast cancer. As a woman who will be under the care of my medical team for the remainder of my life, which I hope is long, I depend on being able to see my oncologist, internist, surgeons and OB/GYN at least once a year. The Affordable Care Act ensured this for me. Another infusion of hope from you.

I had the honor of standing with you and other health advocates before Mother’s Day 2013 as you underscored the benefits of the Affordable Care Act and also highlighted benefits specific to women and mothers. It was a privilege to stand as a healthy mother of my growing children when a few years earlier the future was uncertain for me. Happy Mother’s Day. The power of faith.

President Barack Obama delivers a statement on the Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House, May 10, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Your first term accomplishments and future plans earned you mine and millions of votes to be elected for a second term. This time, I braved the unseasonable cold with my 8-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter in ski suits so that they, too, could witness history at your second inauguration. You continued your work with the scientific and medical community and in your 2015 State of the Union Address announced your Precision Medicine Initiative to improve health care delivery “to enable a new era of medicine through research, technology, and policies that empower patients, researchers, and providers to work together toward development of individualized care.” When you launched the initiative, it was another great opportunity for me to join you, fellow cancer survivors and health advocates. We were buoyant as you outlined the patient benefits.

You delivered additional patient benefits. In your 2016 State of the Union Address, you announced the Cancer Moonshot Initiative with Vice President Biden at the helm. “And because he’s gone to the mat for all of us on so many issues over the past 40 years, I’m putting Joe in charge of Mission Control. For the loved ones we’ve all lost, for the families that we can still save, let’s make America the country that cures cancer once and for all.” You shared that this initiative “…aims to bring about a decade’s worth of advances in five years, making more therapies available to more patients, while also improving our ability to prevent cancer and detect it at an early stage.” You implemented a plan to provide lifesaving cancer research. Thank you Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden for your fierce and steady health advocacy.

Each year, I’ve celebrated my survival milestones and also the progress that you made with lifesaving health reform. Through the Affordable Care Act, the Precision Medicine Initiative, and the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, you delivered your promises. When I’m older and speak to my grandchildren about your extraordinary place in history, I’ll also share with them many more initiatives, programs and legislation that you promoted in our democracy. I’ll celebrate your two-term presidency. You provided a lighthouse when I treaded stormy and uncertain waves of change on my survival journey. As our country’s first African-American president, I’m sure that I’ll be overcome with emotion every time I relive your historic presidency. More than a leader, you are a teacher and a role model. You are an admirable global citizen and a standard bearer of excellence who inspires the best and delivers hope.

With pride and gratitude, I thank you, Mrs. Obama, Malia, Sasha, and Mrs. Robinson. Thank you Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden. I wish you many blessings. Godspeed. My faith has been rewarded.

Melanie A. Nix – Triple negative breast cancer survivor. Resilience Coach, Reconstructionist™ and Health and Wellness Advocate who chronicles life after a breast cancer diagnosis. Living my manifesto, Soul of a Survivor, and always striving to color outside of the lines when defining my new normal.

Last week, I resumed my three times a week jogging routine.Today, with temps in the 20s, I still got in my 4.5 mile outdoor run this morning.Prior to resuming last week, I had taken a two-and-a-half-week break; initially because of a cold and then because I was thoroughly enjoying being a holiday couch potato.I definitely value rest and relaxation (see A Restful Mind and a Recharged Spirit ).I really enjoyed my holiday break. So, it took me some time to get motivated and when I started back was running at a slower than normal pace.But, I got my 3 runs in last week and plan to get them in this week, too.

Running for me is almost addictive.There are so many personal benefits.I get my daily physical activity.The health benefits of exercise are proven and I’m especially mindful of trying to help reduce my risk of breast cancer recurrence.For me, I also benefit from the stress relief that I find during and after my run.I solve all of the world’s problems while I’m jogging.I’ve found it to be a fairly easy and inexpensive form of exercise since I run outside and don’t require a gym membership or treadmill.It definitely contributes to my health and wellness.But most of all, I do it because I can.

Not so long ago, I wasn’t jogging, but sock collecting.I have a drawer full of hospital socks, the ones you get when you have a diagnostic test or when you’re in the hospital.They have the slip resistant material on the bottom to keep you upright when you start walking (post surgery or post medical procedure).Through my breast cancer survival, I’ve collected a lot of these socks and wear then around my house.They are comfortable, but they are also a reminder of hospital stays, including my mastectomy (breast removal surgery), my oophorectomy (surgical removal of my ovaries) when sitting up in a hospital bed was a task and walking even short distances seemed almost impossible.

In addition to my hospital sock collection, I’ve also collected quite a few pair of running shoes.For the shoes that I’ve worn out, literally to no tread, I keep them as work shoes. In the last four years, since I’ve taken up distance running, there have only been a few weeks that I’ve taken off, mostly due to a cold or ailment.For someone who hasn’t been disciplined in every area of my life, this is one area where I’m focused and disciplined.I’ve completed 5 distance runs (four 10 mile runs and a half marathon of 13.1 miles).I’ve also completed some distance walks.I average 1 -2 distance runs annually.I don’t run for speed.I run for completion.When I’m not training for a distance run, I run as part of my routine.I’m not trying to qualify for one of the storied international marathons.I might one day, but it’s not my goal.I run because I can.

When I had my breast cancer surgeries and treatment, putting on a pair of socks and shoes for a walk around the block was as unthinkable as a 10-mile run.I’ve said it many times before that as I was laying on my back in a hospital bed or sitting exhausted in my chair while I was getting chemo any activity seemed like an impossibility.

But, I kept a vision of “life after”.I didn’t know what exactly it might look like.I didn’t envision distance runs, but I envisioned more than laying on my back or sitting exhausted in my chair.So, 8 years later, I run because I can.

I’m not really making resolutions this year, but more declarations.I’m bringing back music to my life (see Bringing Back Music to My Life in the New Year).As a cultural tourist, I’m keenly aware of the fact that as we age we tend to become confined by cultural norms or expectations.There are a lot of unwritten rules to follow and abide by as an adult.We do things, mostly the fun, imaginative, adventurous stuff of our dreams, somewhat apologetically.We put off our plans because it doesn’t seem to be the right place or time.We do only what’s necessary and not necessarily what’s fulfilling because it’s what we are supposed to do.But, I’m going to live the way I want to, with an even bigger vision, because I can.

Today I will __________ because I can.

This week I will __________ because I can.

This month I will __________ because I can.

This year I will __________ because I can.

Fill in the blanks.This year, I’m making my own rules and I’m going to live my life bigger and better than ever, full of fun and laughter BECAUSE I CAN!

What’s yours?Please share.I look forward to hearing from you and making 2017 a Because I Can year!

For many, the last 1-2 weeks have been holiday, downtime or vacation.Many are off from work and school, some have vacationed and others, hopefully at least, have reduced their workload and to do list and relaxed a little.As I prep for return to work and my kids getting back to school, back to a busy and often extremely hectic schedule, I’m mapping out my week and planning for meetings, school events and getting my plans together.

I’ll admit that I normally am running late or just on time.This is the result of me trying to squeeze in one last thing; a habit I’m working on changing.With me running late, I generally find limited parking options and pull my car in wherever I can, jump out and walk/jog/run to wherever I have to be.And if it’s a crowded meeting, I usually get the worst seat where I can’t see or hear very well.Consequently, when my meeting is over, I often have to “remember” where I speedily parked my car.It’s a time waster and my car is usually a bit further away from where I am because the close-up spots are “reserved” for the early comers.

But this summer, my kids attended a new camp.Every day, during pick-up, I’d watch the traffic pile up which created a longer wait and more difficult time to get back to the main roads to get home.Because I had to pick up my kids before the end of my work day, I needed to get them quickly to get back to work responsibilities.I quickly devised a plan.I would get to camp a few minutes early to get a prime parking space.I started parking my car in the same spot every day.I always pulled in, turned and park in the direction headed toward my next appointment.The space where I parked was out of the heavy traffic and allowed me to quickly pick up my kids and bypass the traffic to get on the road.

The process was so smooth and efficient that I’m working to adopt it in my other planning.Somewhat simple, but impactful lessons, especially as I prepare to WIN 2017.There’s a path that I want to take.I need to be parked in the best space that will allow me to be prepared and ready to move, sometimes quickly, in that direction.Traveling a little earlier will allow me to avoid bottlenecks.The best parking space has several advantages.I’ll keep this top of mind.Be careful when and where you park.Moving forward.Ready. Set. Go!

After a subpar childhood piano career, I resumed my piano lessons when I was 35 years old.I remember how I jumped up and down and celebrated when the used black upright piano that I purchased was delivered to my house.Even as the mother of a 13-month-old son, I was dedicated and likely the most disciplined I had been.I was faithful to my lessons, my practice and focused on becoming an accomplished pianist.

I love music and wanted to fill my home with countless piano “concerts”.I envisioned my family sitting around the piano and Christmas tree during the holidays as I performed a list of traditional holiday favorites as well as performing concerts throughout the year where I played a variety of genres.

As an adult, I remember nervously sitting next to kindergarteners as we prepared for our spring recital in 2008.After the birth of my second child, this was my first recital in almost 20 years.My emotions vacillated between excitement and frustration; excitement that I was pursuing my piano dreams and frustration that I hadn’t been a better childhood student and hadn’t mastered the piano at almost 40.Nevertheless, I was excited to be performing a culmination of a few years of lessons that had me proud of what I had recently accomplished and further lit the fire under me to keep getting better.Despite a few missed keys, the spring recital was great and I beamed with pride as my family and friends got to see my hard work.Despite being a working mother of two (I had recently taken a much-needed break from corporate America), I was able to maintain my family focus while making piano lessons a priority and working on my other professional endeavors.

Until that devastating derailment also known as my triple negative breast cancer diagnosis.In my sudden and immediate change of priorities to better understand my breast cancer subtype, research treatment options, physicians and focus on survival, I withdrew from my upcoming fall recital.

That was 8 years ago.Aside from the occasional moment that I plunk at a piece from my childhood or adulthood recitals or some of my half-written songs and a few comical attempts to provide lessons to my family, the piano has sat largely unused.Sometimes dusty and out of tune, it represents a stark contradiction to the dedicated days of practice, my scheduled piano tunings and appreciation for the instrument and music I was able to produce.

The years since my breast cancer diagnosis have been filled with highs and lows, a challenge as I find my way in my new normal.Dreams I once had have been replaced by new dreams.U turns have been a large part of navigation in my new normal.Reconstruction has been an overriding theme.As 2016 closes with another year of survival, another holiday and my 47th birthday, resolutions I used to make have been replaced by one simple declaration for the year ahead.I’m bringing back the music to my life!

Things that were out of tune and dusty in my life will be dusted off, tuned with a refocus to have beautiful melodies today and the next day and the next day.This is a work in progress.I look forward to recommitting myself to some of the things I “lost” and making my new normal more bright and beautiful.

I pray that there’s also beautiful music for you in 2017.I’ll keep you posted and hope to hear about your 2017 adventures.